Letters I Thought You Should See

January 16, 2013

Darrell B. Mobley, Acting SecretaryMaryland Department of Transportation
Corporate Center Drive
Hanover, MD.

Dear Secretary Mobley,

For countless years, the citizens of Worcester County and the travelers passing through our area have dealt with the treacherous two lane sections of US Rt. 13. Perhaps the worst area of this terrible section of the highway is located at the intersection of Rt. 12 in Snow Hill. The fatalities and serious injury accidents are astounding.

An overpass is clearly needed but the $10 million price tag is apparently out of reach. While I have little input on funding priorities, I understand this is the current reality. However, a recent decision to create J-Turns at this intersection is being received poorly by the community as a means of soiving the problem. The people who use the roadway the most would like a traffic control device installed. They have legitimate concerns about the amount of traffic that would be required to utilize the proposed J-Turns and the functionality of this highway modification.

Lastly, it is inherently less expensive to simply install a traffic control device at the intersection than it would be to install the proposed J-Turns. I have seen your budget projections moving forward and it is clear that funding is limited. Moving forward with traffic control devices even makes better economic sense during these challenging times.

Several years ago, the SFIA elected to install a traffic control device at our Board of Education complex a few miles north of Snow Hill. The device was not requested by local government nor did any traffic count or demonstrative graphics support such a measure. Yet, it was installed anyway.

Now, the people in and around Snow Hill have been clamoring for a light while accidents continue, and yet they are denied or offered a very unattractive alternative. Please help us move forward in a positive direction in 2013. Grant our request for the traffic signal now.

With Warmest Regards ,

Michael A. McDermott, DelegateWicomico & Worcester Counties

The Honorable Michael A. McDermott

Maryland House of Delegates

Room 323

6 Bladen Street

Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Delegate McDermott:

This letter is in regard to the intersections of US 1 l3 at MD 12 (Snow Hill Road) and US I l3 at MD 365 (Public Landing Road) in Snow Hill, Worcester County. I appreciate your partnership with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) in responding to the concerns of your constituents in Snow Hill.

The State Highway Administration (SHA) has reviewed the US I l3 corridor between MD 365 and MD 12. The long-range plan for this corridor calls for an interchange at MD 12 replacing the existing "at

grade" intersection as Phase 5 of the US I 13 dualization project. 

The plan also includes replacing the existing "at grade" intersection at US I 13 and MD 365 with J-Turns. which have been successful along the US 113 coridor between Snow Hill and Berlin.

After careful consideration of the immediate safety concerns and community feedback, I am pleased to inform you that SHA's review has determined that a fully operating traffic signal should replace the

existing flashing beacon at the US I l3 and MD l2 intersection. SHA found that a signal is needed based on projected 2013 traffic counts and current 2012 crash data just obtained from the Maryland State Police.

The temporary traffic signal is a cost effective interim solution that will remain in place until the interchange, the ultimate solution, is complete. SHA will continue its design and construction of J-Turns

for the US I l3 and MD 365 intersection, since it is in keeping with the treatment of other similar intersections along this corridor.

We anticipate that the traffic signal at US I 13 and MD 12 will be installed by mid-summer. Construction of the i-I'urns at US 113 and MD 365 will begin as soon as construction funding becomes available.

Thank you, again, for your letter. If you have additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Donnie L. Drewer, District Engineer, SHA at 410-677-4006, toll-free 1-800-825-4742 or via email at ddrewer@sha.state.md.us. Of course, you should feel free to contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Darrell B. Mobley

Acting Secretary